Read Where the Deer and the Antelope Play (Code of the West) for Free Online

kitchen.
    It’s awfully warm in here.
    Reaching the kitchen doorway, she stood for a moment and stared at its contents.
    He hasn’t washed a single dish since I was here last time. Does he think I come out here just to clean his house? ’Course, he didn’t know I was coming. But at least after the wedding, it will be my mess, too.
    Pepper pulled off her hooded cape and draped it on an empty peg by the pantry door. Then she tugged off her heavy coat.
    He can just put away the buggy himself. The first thing I should do is heat some water for washing these dishes. How come I always forget to bring an apron? No, the first thing I’ll do is break apart that fire. It’s way too warm in here.
    She was halfway across the front room when the rocking chair facing the fireplace caught her eye.
    Tap?
    A man sat there wrapped in a wool blanket, chin on his chest, in deep sleep.
    He must have been up all night. With the cows? Poor man. He looks worn out. Must have gotten frozen out there.
    I know just the thing to warm him up.
    She slipped behind the chair.
    He’s definitely got to get his hair cut before the wedding.
    She put her hands over his eyes and whispered, “Hey, cowboy, how would you like those dreams to come true?”
    “What?” A strange voice choked. The man in the chair leaped up, clutching his holstered revolver. The cat by the hearth flew toward the kitchen.
    Pepper jumped back. “Who are you?”

     
     
     
    3
     
    D id I die and go to heaven?” the man wearing a black vest and a blanket across his shoulders mumbled through half-open eyes.
    “Who are you?” Pepper demanded again. “What are you doing here? Where’s Tap? What do you mean leading me on to think that you were him?” She could feel her face flush with anger as she tried to remember where Tap kept his shotgun.
    “Whoa, lady. I’m sorry.”
    “Get out of here. Get out of here right now.”
    “I was just sleepin’. Been ridin’ all night. Tap told me to .  . . say, you’re that yellow-haired gal from McCurleys’, ain’t ya?”
    “So what?” she yelled.
    “You sure got that old Tap hooked. All he talks about is the weddin’.”
    The tension eased from her throat. “But who are you?”
    “I’m Wiley. I used to work at the Rafter R up in Wyomin’. I’m a friend of Tap’s, but I’ll be goin’. I didn’t know you was comin’.”
    “Wait.” Pepper backed toward the p iano. “I assumed you were Tap.”
    “Yes, ma’am, I got the idee that you weren’t exactly gle eful to see me.”
    “Where is he?”
    “He rode out lookin’ for the trail of some rustlers.”
    “Someone stole his cattle?”
    “No. They stole Rafter R cows and pushed them down this way. I rode in last night to warn him that Fightin’ Ed and crew would be comin’ down here lookin’ for Rafter R beef, and there could be trouble.”
    “What kind of trouble?”
    “Fightin’ Ed Casey is on the prowl. He thinks Tap’s rustled those Herefords.”
    “So Tap went to see if he could find the dangerous ru stlers all by himself?”
    “I think he was just scoutin’ for sign. He ought to be back soon. I was catchin’ up on a little sleep and I surely didn’t aim to alarm you none, ma’am.”
    “Tap’s friends are my friends. Why don’t you just stay there by the fire and warm up? I’m going to see if I can clean up that kitchen before it petrifies.”
    “Thanks, Miss.”
    “Everyone calls me Pepper.”
    “And I can certainly see why. Miss Pepper, I’m feeling rested, so I reckon I’ll ride out and see what Tap found. I’ll tell him you’re here. I don’t think he was expectin’ you until next week.”
    “That’s obvious.” She waved her hand around at the junk piled about the room.
    Wiley slapped on his hat. His spurs jingled as he stepped outside. Pausing on the porch, he stuck his head back in the room. “Miss Pepper, I’ll put your rig away. Uh, Tap me ntioned you don’t have any sisters. Is that right?”
    “I’m an only child. Why